How to Make Multiplication Tables in Excel Formulas

Use Excel to create a multiplication table that you can print out for study or teaching purposes. Create a worksheet using two variables for the factors, or numbers being multiplied to achieve the product, or result of the multiplication. Use absolute formulas to ensure that the correct cells are referenced in the rows and columns. This technique for creating a multiplication table applies to any version of Excel and does not require the creation of special tables.

Things You'll Need

Microsoft Excel

Open a new workbook in Excel. Save your file before beginning to avoid loosing your work.

Create a column for the multiplicands. Click in cell A2 and type the number 1. Click in cell A3 and type the number 2. Extend the list for as many numbers as you want as follows. Select both cells A2 and A3 by clicking your mouse on the first and dragging over the second; place your cursor over the small black box in the lower right corner of the cells. When the boxy plus sign turns to a regular plus sign, click and drag the corner down to as many cells as you want numbers in your list. A small box will appear to the right on your sheet to show you what numbers are being insert. Start by dragging through 10 for a basic multiplication table. Alternatively, type the numbers in the list.

Create a row for the multipliers. Click in cell B1 and type the number 1. Click in cell C1 and type the number two. Extend the list by selecting both cells B1 and C1, place the cursor on the lower right corner of C1, click and drag the regular plus sign along the length of the row for as many numbers as you want.

Create the formula that will be used to create the results for the multiplication table. Click in cell B2 and type the formula =B$1*$A2 in the cell or in the formula bar above. The dollar signs create an absolute formula.

Copy the formula down the column of multiplicands by clicking on cell B2, placing the cursor on the lower right corner to get the regular plus sign to appear, clicking and dragging the mouse down column B to the bottom of your list of numbers in column A.

Copy the formula to the remaining multiplicands and multipliers by selecting all cells in the range where your initial formula is -- B2 -- through the end of your column. In other words, select all cells from B2 through B11 if your table goes up to 10. With the cells in the column selected, place the cursor on the lower right corner until the regular plus sign appears. Click and drag the mouse across the entire table you have created, until you reach the last column with a number in the top row.

Add additional multiplicands and multipliers, as needed, to increase the numbers in your multiplication table. Extend the formula to the additional cells in the same manner as in Step 6.

Tips & Warnings

Format your table with a title, column and row headings and a legend to identify the parts of the table for ease in reading.